The Department of Health (DOH) announced that over 455,000 bottles of anti-retroviral (ARV) medication have arrived in the Philippines and will soon be distributed to Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).
First Tranche of 1.2 Million Bottles
In a social media post, the DOH reported that 455,188 bottles of Lamivudine+Tenofovir+Dolutegravir (LTD) have arrived and are set to be deployed nationwide. "These are expected to be distributed next week, following today's inspection," the DOH stated.
During the inspection, the health department verified that the ARVs are safe, effective, and of high quality. They also checked if the bottles are registered and compliant with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, ensuring readiness for distribution to PLHIVs.
Delivery Schedule and Supplier
The DOH said these over 455,000 ARV bottles constitute the first tranche of a total 1.2 million bottles procured by the agency. The second and third tranches are expected to arrive between August and September 2026, according to the DOH.
Earlier, the DOH disclosed that the supply contract for nearly 1.2 million bottles of TLD was awarded to PhilPharmawealth in March 2026. Under the contract terms, the first tranche of 600,000 bottles was due for delivery in May 2026. However, the supplier requested an extension, citing the crisis in the Middle East as the cause of delay. The revised commitment was to deliver the first tranche by July 2026.
Current PLHIV Treatment Numbers
Based on December 2025 data, there are 100,671 PLHIVs undergoing ARV treatment in the Philippines. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)
